The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr. Olugbile Holloway, has applauded Gerda Henkel Stiftung for its efforts in preserving one of the country’s monuments, the Egbo Egbo Bassey House in Calabar.
The Egbo Egbo Bassey House is a prefabricated wooden structure, possibly built in 1886 and assembled in Duke Town, Old Calabar. It is now a listed National Monument.
When Dr. Obafemi Olukoya of the Vernacular Heritage Initiative formally handed over the detailed reports and architectural model of the Egbo Egbo Bassey House project to him in Abuja on Wednesday, Holloway described the development as welcome.
He remarked that the preservation of the Egbo Egbo Bassey House would go a long way in educating the upcoming generation of Nigerians on their history and cultural heritage.
Pledging the government’s willingness to work with the private sector to sustain the cultural heritage of Nigerians, he disclosed that his agency is in the process of reviving the 53 museums across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
READ ALSO:PDP governors congratulate Jonathan on Sunhak Peace Prize
The NCMM chief, visibly impressed by the scope and dedication of the project team, extended heartfelt appreciation to Olukoya and his team for their unwavering commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
“The work done here is nothing short of remarkable,” he said. “It is our hope that this partnership will endure for many years to come so that more heritage sites across Nigeria can receive the attention and restoration they truly deserve.”
The event concluded with a renewed sense of dedication to Nigeria’s cultural preservation, with hopes that this collaborative effort will serve as a blueprint for future restoration initiatives across the country.
Olukoya remarked that the Egbo Egbo Bassey House, a National Monument since 1959, has been the focus of meticulous architectural documentation and research since March 2024, thanks to generous funding from Gerda Henkel Stiftung.
He stated that the project marks a significant step in the preservation and restoration of one of Nigeria’s esteemed heritage sites.
READ ALSO:National Sports Festival: Wike urges FCT athletes to go for victory
During the event, Dr. Olukoya delivered an insightful and highly detailed presentation, showcasing the architectural drawings of the Egbo Egbo Bassey House.
His address was accompanied by a state-of-the-art 3D photogrammetry scan, which provided a stunningly detailed visualization of the historic structure.
Attendees, including experts in cultural preservation and architecture, were visibly impressed by the depth of the research and the sophisticated methodologies employed by the project team.
In a moment of lightheartedness, Olukoya handed over the extensive project report, humorously dubbing it “The Bible of Egbo Egbo Bassey House,” a testament to the exhaustive research and documentation that had gone into the initiative.
Alongside the report, he also presented a meticulously crafted real-life model of the monument, offering the Commission a tangible representation of the site’s structure and historical essence.
Acknowledging Support and Announcing Future Steps.
Dr. Olukoya expressed his profound gratitude to Gerda Henkel Stiftung, whose funding and commitment made the project a reality.
READ ALSO:Local research output lacks depth for national planning, says Olaopa
He further informed the NCMM leadership of the successful outcome of an application for the stabilization of the Egbo Egbo Bassey House, a critical next step in ensuring its structural integrity and continued preservation.
He also announced that his team would be heading to the project site on March 26, 2025, to commence the next phase of restoration work, which has also been generously funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung, adding that the next step promises to reinforce the site’s historical and architectural significance while paving the way for future conservation efforts.
As the team gears up to commence the next phase of work at the Egbo Egbo Bassey House, the event at the NCMM headquarters stands as a defining moment in the journey toward safeguarding Nigeria’s rich historical legacy.
